Evolution of the MLCs & ISCs - No Changes in Support
Guest Post by Coast Guard Chief of Staff, VADM John Currier.
On 27 September we will fully realign our mission support organization in the field. This is a significant milestone but I'm sure what you all really want to know is "What does this mean?" Well, basically, the Maintenance and Logistics Commands (MLCs) Atlantic and Pacific and the Integrated Support Commands (ISCs) will move to the four new logistics and service centers (SFLC, SILC, C4IT SC and PSC) and their subordinate field commands - those are in 14 locations. For example, all MLC naval engineering staff, and ISC industrial activities will report to the Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) on 27 September. Let me clarify what we mean by "move." These changes represent a realignment of functions from the MLCs and ISCs to the Logistics and Service Centers. These are not physical moves.
So anyone who has a planned job change will transition on or before this day. Communication about job assignment changes has been ongoing since January and will culminate with employees receiving specific written notice about their assignment, including an effective date. After we get everyone transferred along with their responsibilities, the MLCs and ISCs will stand down on 1 October 2009.
Despite these changes, mission support is "business as usual" on 1 October. Processes, procedures, locations, and POCs do not change. The 13 ISCs and Headquarters Support Command (HSC) become the locations of the 14 subordinate field units of the logistics and service centers. This means that your points of contacts within these organizations will not change. So please, call the same people on 1 October that you would call for support today.
I know you are asking what's the point of this announcement if my POCs aren't changing? Well, a few things will change:
- ISC and HSC functions transfer to logistics and service center subordinate field units in 14 locations. For example,
* ISC Facilities Divisions become SILC Base Support Units (BSUs)
* ISC Personnel Divisions become PSC Personnel Services and Support Units (PSSUs)
* ISC Health Services Divisions become PSC Health Safety and Work Life Field
Offices (HSWL FOs)
- Other field units will change their reporting structure:
* NESUs/ISAs now report to SFLC, but stay in the same place
* ESUs and detachments now report to C4IT SC
* CEUs now report to the SILC
- MLC functions transfer to Logistics and Service Center Commands
The most important question we get asked is "How will I get support?" First off, there will be no lapse in support services. During the transition, we are not changing how or where you request, get or receive support. Your current support POCs are not moving geographically. For consistent support and to minimize confusion about who to call, we offer three options to get support:
1. Call your current ISC POCs. Your current ISC POCs are mapping into the new organization's field units, but stay in the same location.
2. Call the service or logistics center. Your current MLC POCs are moving into the C4IT SC, PSC, SFLC, and SILC. Call them or call the Service or Product Line Manager of the asset.
3. Call the Primary Support Officer (PSO): Each of the legacy ISC locations has a PSO that you can reach out to. The PSO is responsible for coordinating services in their local area. They will manage your support needs during the transition if you are unsure about how to get support. PSOs are your current local ISC CO, who is becoming the CO of your local BSU or PSSU.
Diagrams mapping the new organization and contact lists for logistics and service centers and PSOs are on the new "Mission Support" space on CG Portal. You can also find more information like VADM Pekoske's All Hands E-mail and previous ALCOAST messages.
Finally, I realize all this represents significant change. Many of you have worked for the MLCs or ISCs for many years and to see them disestablished can be difficult. They will remain a proud part of our legacy. I appreciate your patience and continued support as we work through this together, and I personally welcome your questions and comments on this Blog
Posted at
9:18 AM
3 Comments:
Admiral Currier,
I appreciate your commitment to keep us informed in as many venues as possible. It is obvious that this change has been well planned. However, I think that the Coast Guard could have been engaging the field several weeks ago to address concerns and answer questions.
In this time of change we should take the opportunity to change how we implement change. Instead of putting a change out into the field and letting the end users feel out the change through mistakes and lost time, we could provide training and allow enough time for concerns and problems to be addressed prior to its? release.
There will be units whose POC will change because of the separation of planned maintenance and casualty response, as well as MLC PAC going away. A detailed organization chart down to the POC title for each product or asset line could be provided to the field. This chart should provide titles, phone numbers and responsibilities at the least so the field understands how their support is managed. Understandably the actual persons name is not needed as it will invariably change, if not in the near future then at least by transfer season. The diagram and contact list mentioned in the blog doesn?t address the specific titles and responsibilities that a field unit would be able to reach out to for assistance. Perhaps a more user friendly version might look like a billet map.
V/R
J.S. Baxter MKC
VADM Currier,
With such a dynamic change in our organizational structure, it will require an equally dynamic upgrade to our current publications and directives. COMDTINST Manuals such as the Electronics Manual and Naval Engineering Manual will be in dire need of an organizational rewrite. When can we in the field expect to get our hands on these new "user manuals" so we can learn what makes the motor run of this new hotrod we call the Modernized Coast Guard?
ETC Strattard sends...
This response was provided by VADM Currier:
ETC Strattard,
You've touched on something we're just starting to get our arms around. With all the organizational changes we're going through like the disestablishment of the MLC's and ISC's for example, we'll have to follow through on the supporting administrative part as well. In the Coast Guard we have many documents that will need rewriting; everything from COMDTINST's, to technical manuals and various policy documents and even our organizational websites that not only carry the legacy names of organizations that will no longer exist, but also have processes and ways of doing business that could significantly change as well under modernization. It's a daunting task.
There is no one answer to "when" you can expect to see these updated manuals as each program will be responsible for changes made to their respective manuals. That also could take some time as many of these programs aren't yet done defining some of their new business processes being changed. In the interim, like we've said in our messages to you recently, it's "business as usual" which means all existing policy and guidance remains in effect until you hear otherwise. We're all still learning what makes the modernization "motor run" and we'll need the help of everyone to make sure we get it right.
Thanks for the question!
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